84
84
Jul 4, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 84
favorite 0
quote 0
you can find no active taliban. but nato can over here the taliban radio traffic. they will move out. they will try to move. it will try to move things they have stored to keep them out of nato's path. it is a cat and mouse game. the plainfield is the homes of afghan civilians -- the playing field is the homes of afghan civilians living in these places. >> some of the guys came up. we talked to them. i think what we are going to do, we are going to post support units year, a kind of leader rabb. -- loiter around. especially back. i think it will be 15:30. >> let's go ahead and break down and get on the road. >> the high ground is over their. we will go back. >> ok. >> i do not think by any metric anyone argues there are fewer attacks and less violence in afghanistan now than there has ever been. the number of bombs exploded, the number of civilians killed, the number of nato troops killed has only risen steadily throughout the war. so, the only way you can argue security is better is by interpreting conditions on the ground differently. yes, you could say, there ar
you can find no active taliban. but nato can over here the taliban radio traffic. they will move out. they will try to move. it will try to move things they have stored to keep them out of nato's path. it is a cat and mouse game. the plainfield is the homes of afghan civilians -- the playing field is the homes of afghan civilians living in these places. >> some of the guys came up. we talked to them. i think what we are going to do, we are going to post support units year, a kind of...
291
291
Jul 6, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 291
favorite 0
quote 0
what i would say is this, there is an incentive on the taliban to join a political process because taliban mid level and high level leaders are being killed in ever larger numbers. and actually what you see now is in some sense lowering morale of the taliban within afghanistan because the brave mid level and high level leaders are carrying over the border into pakistan. that is what is happening. we need to keep up that pressure. now, of course, we need to work with the afghans so there is a long-term capability so that the afghans can deal with the snurmingsy if that insurgency is still -- insurgency if that insurgency is still continuing in the future along the lines you suggest. but no one should think that the taliban is not under pressure. they are under huge pressure because of the operations in which we are all so engaged. >> mr. roy. >> mr. prime minister, ws' drawdown ropes in afghanistan, we will not drawdown on those numbers on people who [inaudible] . >> it's hugely important that we secure those who work in our embassy. i have the great fortunate things on meeting those people
what i would say is this, there is an incentive on the taliban to join a political process because taliban mid level and high level leaders are being killed in ever larger numbers. and actually what you see now is in some sense lowering morale of the taliban within afghanistan because the brave mid level and high level leaders are carrying over the border into pakistan. that is what is happening. we need to keep up that pressure. now, of course, we need to work with the afghans so there is a...
88
88
Jul 6, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 88
favorite 0
quote 0
tax dollars are not going to firls connected to the taliban or other insurgents? >> we have a document that we put out called contracting guides and we're following that. what that has done is enabled us to vet our contractors and break down the contracts so it's spread more easily throughout the -- evenly throughout the nation an allowed the afghan people to be the ones who hold the contractors accountable. we're on a great trajectory to improve that over and over again. i think we're on a good path for higher level of what we do for contracting. >> courtney. one. >> general, just very quickly you said several times today that the progress that you've seen is indisputable. but the words you haven't used are two we have seared in our brains an that's fragile and reversible. do you still consider the project to be fragile or reversible? >> it is still fragile and reversible. that's starting to get past that level in selected areas but there's still very few. because this is about afghan people's trust and confidence, we've still got a little bit more way to go befo
tax dollars are not going to firls connected to the taliban or other insurgents? >> we have a document that we put out called contracting guides and we're following that. what that has done is enabled us to vet our contractors and break down the contracts so it's spread more easily throughout the -- evenly throughout the nation an allowed the afghan people to be the ones who hold the contractors accountable. we're on a great trajectory to improve that over and over again. i think we're on...
159
159
Jul 1, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 159
favorite 0
quote 0
notwithstanding the radical taliban and other elements. one might questions -- and i am sure you will talk about that and the sustainability of efforts. we invested heavily as americans to achieve the goal to build up afghan petitions since 2002. congress has appropriated $60 billion for relief and reconstruction and afghanistan. the great majority of which has been channeled through private contractors. now we know from bosnia and iraq that a reduction in troop levels does not mean a drop in contract activities. in fact, there has been an increase. in fact, there is a reliance to perform logistical roles. essentially, the contractor presence will also decrease as we move our support of large scale -- off-budget spending to more direct budget aide to the afghan government directly. the strategy must focus now, more than ever, to assure afghans are able to sustain what we helped to build. we must consider, not only, how many additional schools to construct but also whether afghanistan will have teachers and medical professionals to sustain
notwithstanding the radical taliban and other elements. one might questions -- and i am sure you will talk about that and the sustainability of efforts. we invested heavily as americans to achieve the goal to build up afghan petitions since 2002. congress has appropriated $60 billion for relief and reconstruction and afghanistan. the great majority of which has been channeled through private contractors. now we know from bosnia and iraq that a reduction in troop levels does not mean a drop in...
83
83
Jul 18, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 83
favorite 0
quote 0
, 45 people, civilians who were not militants or key figures in the leadership of al qaeda with the taliban, were killed during that time. looking at a for the theme, they would estimate another 60 and involve people were killed, making it well over 100 casualties. the u.s. has responded to the bureau of investigative journalism, saying that these are wildly off, these figures. they have rejected them, but this is the response of the bureau to that. >> we have feedback from the intelligence community saying, even having seen the summary findings, they stand by the view that absolutely no civilians have been killed in pakistan since august 23 last year, yet we have named individuals, children, photographic evidence here we have sent researchers into the field to look at this. we followed it up, and we cannot understand why they are categorically say no civilian deaths when we have evidence that can say. i am in a sense, there is quite a lot of reporting from within the tribal areas. this was the 23rd of august last year that killed civilians, so that prompted the change in policy, but there
, 45 people, civilians who were not militants or key figures in the leadership of al qaeda with the taliban, were killed during that time. looking at a for the theme, they would estimate another 60 and involve people were killed, making it well over 100 casualties. the u.s. has responded to the bureau of investigative journalism, saying that these are wildly off, these figures. they have rejected them, but this is the response of the bureau to that. >> we have feedback from the...
109
109
Jul 8, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 109
favorite 0
quote 0
and afghanistan as a whole had seen how evil the taliban was. how much damage they could do to society as they burned paintings and books and films and totally suppressed freedom in afghanistan. they knew. these people were evil but they were afraid of them but with the united states weaponry, with our guidance and intelligence training these people defeated the taliban. what i was not aware of until we met with these folks and turns out i could have been aware, i just was not, but do you the research, you find out, the bush administration convinced the northern alliance, ok, now that you've whipped the taliban you need to totally disarm. because we're the united states and we're here and we'll make sure nothing happens to you again. well, the northern alliance messed up because they trusted us and they turned in their weapons, i asked one, you turned in all your weapons? well, apparently they have some small arms, but nothing that would allow them to take on the taliban again. naturally these people were concerned because they know because they
and afghanistan as a whole had seen how evil the taliban was. how much damage they could do to society as they burned paintings and books and films and totally suppressed freedom in afghanistan. they knew. these people were evil but they were afraid of them but with the united states weaponry, with our guidance and intelligence training these people defeated the taliban. what i was not aware of until we met with these folks and turns out i could have been aware, i just was not, but do you the...
102
102
Jul 6, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 102
favorite 0
quote 0
all we are training are evental new members of the taliban. trainers are doing a wonderful job, but we don't have the time to make an army. every day, some one dice. every day, an american dice or gets his or her -- dies or gets his or her legs poster. this was in the newspaper. and too many times as we debate and eloquent speakers on the floor of the house, we don't see any faces or broken arms or legs and here is a young lady holding a young baby in her arms and the little baby is looking at the officer who is presenting her with the flag. how often does this happen throughout america and we never see it? we have to bring our toops home. they were asked to do everything, to get al qaeda that was responsible for 9/11 and get bin laden. we have done all that. we have done everything we can do. and as my friend from massachusetts said, $10 billion a month and we can't fix the schools or fix the roads here in north carolina and throughout america. i'm from north carolina. i know what's happening to my state and i know what's happening to the oth
all we are training are evental new members of the taliban. trainers are doing a wonderful job, but we don't have the time to make an army. every day, some one dice. every day, an american dice or gets his or her -- dies or gets his or her legs poster. this was in the newspaper. and too many times as we debate and eloquent speakers on the floor of the house, we don't see any faces or broken arms or legs and here is a young lady holding a young baby in her arms and the little baby is looking at...
77
77
Jul 13, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 77
favorite 0
quote 0
we went into afghanistan to round out the taliban and punish them for supporting osama bin laden. we did not know where he was. we thought he might be in pakistan. i kicked the point -- i take the point that al qaeda is struggling there are less than two dozen influential members. when do we know we have disrupted and dismantle the al- qaida? guest: how will we know? -- host: how will we know? guest: that is a fantastic question, and leon panetta did not define that. he did not define what particular al qaeda operatives or leaders we would have to take out. when it has to be dismantling them in al qaeda in the arabian peninsula? it is really fascinating that the defense secretary has left so many questions hanging out there. host: we're talking with stephanie's senate. our next call comes from chicago, illinois, bob, on our line for democrats. caller: george bush said about five or six years ago -- i think it is the truth, i would like to ask the young lady -- unemployment and employment has a lot to do with the war in iraq. my last quick point is that afghanistan -- people could
we went into afghanistan to round out the taliban and punish them for supporting osama bin laden. we did not know where he was. we thought he might be in pakistan. i kicked the point -- i take the point that al qaeda is struggling there are less than two dozen influential members. when do we know we have disrupted and dismantle the al- qaida? guest: how will we know? -- host: how will we know? guest: that is a fantastic question, and leon panetta did not define that. he did not define what...
71
71
Jul 7, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 71
favorite 0
quote 0
with the american acquiescence and saudi financeing, the pakistani government created the taliban as islamabad's van guard for the conquest of afghanistan. in the process they set in place a fundamentalist antiwestern radical terrorist state. let's note that even after 9/11, after 3,000 of our citizens had been slaughtered, the i.s.i. continued to covertly support radical islamic terrorists and they are still engaged in such hostile acts, even as american lives are being lost even today. in 2010 the london school of economics published a report that found agents of the i.s.i., this is 2010, long after 9/11, were, quote, funding and training the afghan taliban, end of quote. and the top things are -- to top this off, there is substantial reporting that has been done that suggests that pakistani diplomats are lobbying the afghanistan government -- afghan government leaders suggesting that they dump the united states and turn to china for a partnership and re-- in reconstruction. this isn't shame on them, this is shame on us. washington may be able to coerce and bribe islamabad into doi
with the american acquiescence and saudi financeing, the pakistani government created the taliban as islamabad's van guard for the conquest of afghanistan. in the process they set in place a fundamentalist antiwestern radical terrorist state. let's note that even after 9/11, after 3,000 of our citizens had been slaughtered, the i.s.i. continued to covertly support radical islamic terrorists and they are still engaged in such hostile acts, even as american lives are being lost even today. in...
93
93
Jul 26, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 93
favorite 0
quote 0
two of president karzai's most powerful allies, including his brother, have been gunned down by the taliban. and ordinary afghan citizens are caught in the line of fire as never, never before. the u.n. recently reported that more afghan civilians were killed in the first half of 2011 than in any other six-month period since the war began. some these casualties are the accidental result of errant attacks and night raids by u.s. and nato forces. but the overwhelming majority of civilian deaths came at the hands of insurgents often using suicide bombers. there were nearly 1,500 civilian deaths between january and june, but according to the u.n. that might be a low estimate given it doesn't include killings in northern afghanistan in the last few months because the u.n. closed their office in that region after it was attacked by a mob that killed several staffers. it's clear, mr. speaker, that after nearly a decade of war we haven't been able to vanquish the enemy and bring stability and security to afghanistan. if after 10 years we can't do more to subdue the insurgency then clearly, clearly w
two of president karzai's most powerful allies, including his brother, have been gunned down by the taliban. and ordinary afghan citizens are caught in the line of fire as never, never before. the u.n. recently reported that more afghan civilians were killed in the first half of 2011 than in any other six-month period since the war began. some these casualties are the accidental result of errant attacks and night raids by u.s. and nato forces. but the overwhelming majority of civilian deaths...
69
69
Jul 5, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 69
favorite 0
quote 0
goals, defeating, disrupting -- dismantle and defeat, reducing the -- stopping the momentum of the taliban and training of afghan security forces, we can begin to draw down our surge forces. 10,000 this year and 30,000 next year. >> has treasury secretary geithner told the president that he would like to leave -- >> not that i'm aware of no. >> i think he will be here for the foreseeable future. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] >> in a few brief comments before the white house briefing, the president invited leaders to the white house on thursday to continue to talk about the debt and deficit. we will give you a chance to see the president's comments again at 8:00 eastern and that will be here on c-span. the senate is in session today. earlier, they came in earlier to take up legislation on libya, but they have pulled that legislation from the floor. senate leaders pulling that resolution from the floor, according to "c.q." and harry reid is saying the most important thing to focus on is the budget and looking
goals, defeating, disrupting -- dismantle and defeat, reducing the -- stopping the momentum of the taliban and training of afghan security forces, we can begin to draw down our surge forces. 10,000 this year and 30,000 next year. >> has treasury secretary geithner told the president that he would like to leave -- >> not that i'm aware of no. >> i think he will be here for the foreseeable future. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] [captioning performed by...
85
85
Jul 22, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 85
favorite 0
quote 0
toppling the taliban. training afghan forces. putting al qaeda under unprecedented pressure, killing osama bin laden. our troops have battled a brutal insurgency, given the iraqi people an opportunity for a better future. it is in their hands. although it does not always make the headlines, every day our forces are serving with distinction in far-flung corners of the world, from western europe to east asia, faced with relentless adversaries. our troops have proven themselves, proven to be a generation of not only warriors but innovators, led by men like admiral mullen, who i have always respected. as i have worked with him every day, i have grown to respect him even more for what he has done. the master new languages, develop and employ advanced new technologies. they have taken on responsibilities once reserved for colonels and generals. the responsibility has extended beyond the battlefield. i was talking with my good buddy two days ago. it is astounding what you guys have trained these young men and women to do. they not only
toppling the taliban. training afghan forces. putting al qaeda under unprecedented pressure, killing osama bin laden. our troops have battled a brutal insurgency, given the iraqi people an opportunity for a better future. it is in their hands. although it does not always make the headlines, every day our forces are serving with distinction in far-flung corners of the world, from western europe to east asia, faced with relentless adversaries. our troops have proven themselves, proven to be a...
90
90
Jul 21, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 90
favorite 0
quote 0
all we are doing is training eventual new members of the taliban. he further stated, trainers are doing a wonderful job but we don't have the time to make an army or police force in afghanistan. the general closed his email to me by saying this, every day someone dies. every day someone dies. it is time to bring our troopings home from -- troops home from afghanistan. how many more children have to cry in a mom or dad's grave site because their mother or daddy went to afghanistan to prop up a corrupt leader named karzai that we send $10 billion a month to? i hope no other children have to cry like edy and stephanie. that brings me to my close, mr. speaker. several weeks oak eugene robertson in his editorial titled "afghanistan strategy, let's go." we wanted to kill or capture osama bin laden, and we did. even so, say the hawks, we have to stay in afghanistan because of the dangerous instability across the border in nuclear armed pakistan. but does anyone believe the war in afghanistan has made pakistan more safe? no, it has not. in fact, it's more f
all we are doing is training eventual new members of the taliban. he further stated, trainers are doing a wonderful job but we don't have the time to make an army or police force in afghanistan. the general closed his email to me by saying this, every day someone dies. every day someone dies. it is time to bring our troopings home from -- troops home from afghanistan. how many more children have to cry in a mom or dad's grave site because their mother or daddy went to afghanistan to prop up a...
104
104
Jul 14, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 104
favorite 0
quote 0
all we're doing is training eventual new members of the taliban. trainers are doing a wonderful job but we don't have the time to make an army. and, mr. speaker, then, it was kind of sad the way he closed. every day somebody from our country dies. a marine, a soldier, an airman, navy, whatever. mr. speaker, i bring posters on the floor. i have probably 12 now that i want to bring on the floor every time that i speak to remind the house that there's pain in war. the wife to my left on the poster is in tears. the little girl who's about 2 years of age, she doesn't understand why this army officer is kneeling before her with a folded flag. but, yet, i will say to the little girl, when you grow older and you are old enough to know your daddy was a real hero, sergeant jeffrey shear, who gave his life for this country. mr. speaker, that leaves me to sharing with the house an editorial that was written about four weeks ago by eugene robinson and the title is "afghanistan strategy: let's go," and i want to read from his editorial. slinder threads of hope a
all we're doing is training eventual new members of the taliban. trainers are doing a wonderful job but we don't have the time to make an army. and, mr. speaker, then, it was kind of sad the way he closed. every day somebody from our country dies. a marine, a soldier, an airman, navy, whatever. mr. speaker, i bring posters on the floor. i have probably 12 now that i want to bring on the floor every time that i speak to remind the house that there's pain in war. the wife to my left on the poster...
150
150
Jul 11, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 150
favorite 0
quote 0
we got the taliban out of power. karzai stood for free elections in 2004. al qaeda was dismantled and sent into western pakistan. this is not a nation-building exercise. this is a counter-terror exercise. we do not need 100,000 troops on the ground of the cost we're paying today in order to get the job done. [applause] thank you. i am here to tell you the future of the united states is not going to be determined in the prairies of afghanistan. the future of the united states is going to be determined by how well-prepared we are to compete in a highly competitive 21st century. that battle will be waged across the pacific ocean. we have some work to do. as you walk out of this building, i want you to remember why we're in this race. it is because it is about the generation and we're about to pass the country to and the condition in which they will find it. my priorities will be debt and spending. we have no choice. trajectory we're on is unsustainable. launching a new industrial revolution is within our grasp. it has happened before. we're optimistic and can
we got the taliban out of power. karzai stood for free elections in 2004. al qaeda was dismantled and sent into western pakistan. this is not a nation-building exercise. this is a counter-terror exercise. we do not need 100,000 troops on the ground of the cost we're paying today in order to get the job done. [applause] thank you. i am here to tell you the future of the united states is not going to be determined in the prairies of afghanistan. the future of the united states is going to be...
92
92
Jul 18, 2011
07/11
by
CSPAN
tv
eye 92
favorite 0
quote 0
i think a failure was announcing to the taliban we were going to withdraw. while they may not have watches, they do have calendars. [laughter] you drive them away if they know they only have to hideout for a certain time. i think of -- i think that was a mistake on his part. i think he should have made sure that the public elections were held in such a way that there was public confidence. i think there are lessons learned. one is, we have been there 10 years. id is time for the afghan people to be able to take responsibility -- it is time for the afghan people to take responsibility for there own safety that has been fought for so valiantly by our soldiers. we do want to see the afghans pick up the responsibility for the effort that goes for word. in the determination of when to pull our troops out should come as a result of the input of the people closest to the battlefield, the generals and the leaders on the ground. at the president should be listening more to them as david cameron in the u.k. did. >> i know you do not agree with the method we got into a
i think a failure was announcing to the taliban we were going to withdraw. while they may not have watches, they do have calendars. [laughter] you drive them away if they know they only have to hideout for a certain time. i think of -- i think that was a mistake on his part. i think he should have made sure that the public elections were held in such a way that there was public confidence. i think there are lessons learned. one is, we have been there 10 years. id is time for the afghan people...